The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-28
RIPS COUNTRY.
A Sunday at Cranston's. son. the
Hudson.
Points OF Difference Between the
Hudson and thc khine-Irving
and Jefferson.
Watterson's Letter In Courier. Journal.

Wattorson's Letter In Courier. Journal.
l.
The Mary Powell is daily packet,
which plies up and down the Hud-
son, between New York and West
Point-a kind of family carriage, like
our Mary Houston-and Cranston's
is an exceedingly fine summer hotel,
which hangs over the river, next
door to the military academy. The
girls come from everywhere to Grams
tons, and the boys run over from the
Point" and there are lively times.
Be sure the youngster who does not
wear the metal stands no show
whatever; although, as one of them
observed at breakfast this morning,
in a meditative and commiseratipg
way, it is only fair, as there are but
two months in the year when the
poor cadets have it all their own
way.
Among the jaunts out of the great
city none is more alluring, as none
will pay better, than a visit to
Cranston's. To take the Mary
Powell on Saturday afternoon and
spend the Sunday here is q revela-
ton. The transition from the sea-
side to the mountains is delightfully."-
abrupt; and, as for the journey, it is
enchanting. You may travel by rail,
if you like, and on either side Of the
river. But the thing to do is to take
the steamer, which has powerful
engines, and brings you in less than
three hours. That is fast enough
for one not engaged in conspiracy or
commerce. 1t gives time thoroughly
to enjoy the scenery, which increases
its impressiveness the oitener you
see it. No one, indeed. can ever
grow weary Of it.
On the deck OF the Mary Houston
i beg her pardon, the Mary Pow.
ell-you meet all sorts Of people and
hear bits Of every kind Of converse
ton. Naturally the resort Of tour
lists from every part OF the world,
comparisons and contrasts between
the Hudson aud the Rhine are inev-
table. You cannot remain long
aboard before you shall hear many
animated discussions on the subject.
These are, for the most part, as mo-
uotonous as they are energetic. The
Rhine is certainly beautiful water.
way, winding through lovely
country, with plenty Of legendary
and historical interest. Its ruined
castles are pretty and suggestive,
though they might as well be painted
canvas. But in no natural feature
can il be fairly named by the side Of
the Hudson. Tappan Zee reminds
one OF the Lake OF Thun and there is
to all the Hudson scenery Swiss no.
bility and variety wanting TO the
Rhine. Even in suggestive in
terest the Hudson exceeds the
Rhine, for the Hudson, hardly
less than the Rhine, has its
traditions. There is no book of
Rhenish story fuller OF romance
than Irying's sketch Book" Nor
is the Rhine associated with any his.
toric period equal TO the American
revolution, for some OF the most
drastic passages OF which the Hud.
son made fitting mise en- scene,
while, as for legendary characters,
where shall wa 90 in que.. Of wcr-
thies having q more phostly claim
upon us than old Hendrick Hudson,
who gave his name 10 the river. 10
say nothing Of Capt. Kidd and Rip
Van Winkle2
Over the Hudson a weird he &c
perpetually hangs. Ii envelopes the
hills as they roll of into the night.
and clings 20 them in the morning as
they break into the sunshine. Ii is
redolent OF sprites and COLLINS.
Hoods lines come unbidden to the
mind:
IA shadow snd a fear,
Some ,eerot mls,ery the spirit dAuntsd,
The place IL haunted"
There is an artifcialty about the
Rhine which has q modern tendency
TO disturb illusions. The Hudson i
unhurt by innovation. The Rhine
gives us bloody tragedies. The Hud.
son gives US old wives tales II il
the Upper Ohio, not the Hudson
which the Rhine resembles and re-
calls,
III.
Rip Van Wrinkle is altogether the
best.known aud bestowed character
OF American fiction. There arc boy
10. when Misunderstanding is but 1
name. There are boys who never
heard OF Harvey Birch. Is there 1
boy anywhere who is not PERSONAL!
and intimately acquainted with tina
lazy, liquor loving vagabond whom
the gentle concoit and loving fancI
OF the master Of Sunnyside brought
into the world OF spirits-I wa
about 10 say Of spirits aud water
and whom the great comedian res.
cued thence aud immortalized2
Mr.. Joseph Jefferson has mad,
fame aud fortune out OF rip Vat
Wrinkle" But who shall gruap,
him any part of his profit Surely
IL Rip we're alive he would not
Seeing bis counterfeit presentmcnt
he would 20 to his grave again
happy 70 leave upon the stage 80 de
lightiul 4 representative, and b,
would say TO Mr.. jefferson, 81
drink your good health, and you
iamily's and may you live long an'
prosper"
Yet, one as they seem, the char
acter Of Rip Van Wrinkle did no
come to Mr.. Jefferson all at once
II grew up in him, as Il we're. Tn
play now acted and familiar TO IN
present generation Of playgoers. diff
iers materially from the origins
piece, in which Rips personality be
gan 10 develop itself. Ia that earl
production, the wife dies, and Rip re
turns after his .wenty years sleep /
fud no arms waiting 10 embrace hin
/ THE apex OF the final act turne
!. upon the death Of the wife. The oil
man has asked about every one ex
cept about Gretchen-about Mr.
Y Van WinLia Al longtb--vou g.,